In the main the book follows a topical outline and may be divided into eight sections, which follow one another quite logically. The hebrew title is and he called from the first word of the book and reminds that gods call is to holiness 11. The first offerings of aaron, for himself and the people. Its hebrew title, wayyiqra, is the first word in the hebrew text of the book and means and he i. Get an animal, kill it, sprinkle the blood around, cut the dead animal into pieces, and burn it for a sweet savor unto the lord. The bible book of leviticus with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study. Therefore jehovah speaks primarily out of the tabernacle of congregation in this book chap. Aaron and his sons are forbidden to mourn for them.
Where exodus tells the story of israel becoming a nation and the building of the tabernacle, leviticus deals with the detailed instructions for carrying out of. These passages also describe how to use the altar for the sacrifices and the offerings to god. General the first of seven feasts of israel, listed in leviticus 23, is the passover. In exodus god saved his people and formed an alliance with them. Nadab and abihu, for offering strange fire, are burnt by fire. The purpose of leviticus is to provide instruction and laws to guide a sinful, yet redeemed. It was written to draw the israelites to the understanding of the infinite holiness of god, and that he desires them to act in a holy manner toward himself. Levi family was chosen by god to act as priests and assistants in the tabernacle. Gods laws and regulations about priests and offerings, holy days, festivals, the sabbath. Instead, the book of leviticus contains a meticulous and often tedious list of rules and regulations. In the book of leviticus the children of israel were marking time at mount sinai. This book explores how the sacrificial rituals and purity practices cleared the way for morally corrupt israelites to become gods covenant partners. In leviticus the principles of approaching god are shown. Thus, leviticus is best explained as a guidebook for instructing gods people about holy living and worship.
Leviticus is a remarkable book, as the contents are considered in the light of the new testament. But specifically, its a book of rules that the ancient israelites believed they had to follow in order to be close to their god. Intro to leviticus biblica the international bible society. The book opens with an overview of five types of sacrifices that had been going on in israel for years. The ritual sacrifices and feasts allowed israel to remember and relate to god as his people. The setting of leviticus mainly appears to take place at mt. What kinds of blood sacrifices are there, and how must they be offered. The word holy is mentioned more times in leviticus, than any other book in the bible. Because the israelites had been held captive in egypt for 400 years, the concept of god had been distorted by the polytheistic, pagan egyptians. The five offerings and the law of them, chapters 17 a.
The book begins with the burnt offering and concludes with redemption. Through sacrifice, god made a way for both praise and forgiveness. Key words and themes leviticus records gods design for the sacrificial system of israel. Yet, if understood properly, the book supplies readers with rich wisdom and practical instruction. From chapter 17, sacrifice and offerings are laid out for priests and individuals in detail. Leviticus bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. However, the book contains vital background information. Large amounts of the pentateuch first five books of the old testament, if not all, are believed to have been written by moses. Summary of the book of leviticus the story of the bible. To guide the israelites in the ways of holiness, so they would be set apart from the world and receive blessings instead of judgment as they lived near the special presence of their holy god. Narrated by actor john rhysdavies gimli, the lord of the rings biblical theology taught by pastorauthor dr. Leviticus receives its name from the septuagint the prechristian greek.
The book of leviticus new international commentary on the old testament. Slavery of israel in egypt, exo 1 kjv nkjv nlt niv esv csb nasb. The book is records practices for the priests who were from the tribe of levi and laws concerning all the israelites. For the casual reader leviticus is a difficult book to wade through seemingly endless details about laws, statutes, feast days, festivals, and sacrifices can be more than a little boring. The book of leviticus was written between 1440 and 1400 b. It was a free will offering surrender of life and will to god 1. Chapters 17 outline the offerings required of both the laity and the priesthood.
The first part of the book of leviticus deals with offerings and the one that was. Book of leviticus outline summary online bible nwt. The book of leviticus is a continuation of the exodus leviticus 27. The animals body was consumed entirely in the fire b.
The book opens and concludes at the same geographical spot, mount sinai, where god gave the law. We hope that you will come to know and love him deeply. Leviticus receives its name from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and means relating to the levites. The book of leviticus is socalled because it describes the roles of the priests and levites, among other laws that god gave to moses on mount sinai. In leviticus, israels holy god invites them to live in his presence. All of us have heard preaching about christ being our passover. The book of leviticus new international commentary on the old testament wenham, gordon j. Everything from sexual conduct to the handling of food, to instructions for worship and religious celebrations, is covered in detail in the book of leviticus. It is the law as applied to the sacrificial and ceremonial system. The subjects treated in leviticus, as in any book of laws and regulations, cover several categories.
In this section five types of offerings are discussed. These bible book outlines are intended to assist you as you study gods wor d. Watch our overview video on the book of leviticus, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Leviticus with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. This book is about as dull as anything possibly could be to the average christian and you wont find very many classes or individuals reading and studying the book of leviticus. Leviticus 17 through moses, the lord gives instructions concerning the offering of various sacrifices, including burnt offerings, meat or meal offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings. The name leviticus was given to the third book of the pentateuch by the ancient greek translators because a good part of this book deals. He died on the cross as our sacrifice for sins during this feast in israel. In order to represent the people to god and god to the people, god institutes.
Leviticus is the third book of five in the pentateuch. Detailed outline of the book of leviticus offerings. As you read the pages of scripture, ask yourself, what does this passage tell me about god. Many christians tend to skim over the book, or neglect to read it altogether because they see it as irrelevant. Leviticus continues the theme found in exodus that god is holy and his people should be holy too. Although leviticus does not deal only with the special duties of the levites, it is so named because it concerns mainly the service. The key personalities of leviticus include moses, aaron, nadab, abihu eleazar, and ithamar. In response, god introduces a set of sacrifices, the priesthood, and purity laws in the book of leviticus.
Leviticus, the third book of the pentateuch takes its name from levi one of the twelve sons of jacob. Following is our overview and outline of leviticus. This is filled out by a discussion of the sin offering as it is to be observed by various classes of individuals. The book of leviticus new international commentary on the. Exodus concludes with the tabernacle constructed and the glory of the lord filling it. Thats why its a vital piece of the torah, the foundation of the rest of scripture. Central to the book of leviticus is the concept of atonement. Chapters 810 describe the consecration of aaron and his sons to the priesthood.
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